GemmaBeads

Behind The Scenes

2010-08-29T22:28:00.005-06:00

We live in a world where anything we want can usually be purchased somehow. For instance, craft supplies and beading materials. If it's not available locally, we can easily find it online, from somewhere in the world, and it will be shipped right to your door.

Typewriter keys are a bit different. Authentic typewriter keys first have to be found. In some cases it's a matter of networking, people keeping an eye out at estate sales and flea markets. In other cases it's bidding on them at an online auction from people who have already found them. In any case this is merely the beginning.

If we find a whole typewriter that is not salvageable, and most that have been stashed in garages and basements aren't, the removal of the keys starts. Not a task for the rushed. If we purchase keys from someone who has removed them already, most times with large snippers, they leave sharp stems attached to the keys. This is where the clean up begins for me to work with them. The person who does this for me is my husband, Eric. A time consuming and messy process. he has been doing this for a while now though and has developed some good techniques. Also, finding good tools has been helpful too.

This weekend was a "cutting" day. Eric sat down with multiple sets and ended up getting 4 cut clean. With his rotary tool and heavy duty cutting wheels, a bit of music and a dust mask. Here is a look into this end of the process...

I have many more sets waiting to be "cleaned" and so many more all ready to create with. If you have an idea for a custom bracelet let me know! There is plenty of time until Christmas, now, but it's coming up quick.

Time Flies

2010-08-12T13:51:00.004-06:00

It blows my mind that I haven't posted ANYTHING here since January! Can that even be right? It must be. I've done SO much since then. I usually work in spurts and sprees. Beading a few bracelets and earring pairs. Then switching to typewriter keys and making lots of things with them while I have the supplies out. Lately, I've been sewing. Not jewelry but clothes, baby blankets and curtains. I set up the sewing machine to do a couple of things and then got out more projects I'd been meaning to do. While doing those I thought of more that I could do. I might have to put all of this aside though and get back to beads. If you are into astrology, you can probably tell I am not a Libra. No balance at all! I am a Taurus. Fully into whatever my sights are on.

I've added a widget today - over at the top right. It's a scrolling display of my shop listings. I've tried clicking on it and love that it takes you right to the listing. Or you can scroll along and see what there is.

I hope to add more functions to the blog and more posts, more often. Thanks for taking the time to read this and please share it with your friends.

Here are some of my more recent creations...

Blue Crush

Marisol

Provence

Winter Color Infusion

2010-01-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, the gray of Winter gets old quick. I can't wait for Spring and all the fresh, new colors of nature. It seems even in our Winter celebrations we infuse our lives with color to compensate. Here is a little infusion of color from me to you. The colors reminded me of the Carnivale celebration in Brazil. Created with fantastic artisan crafted lampwork beads and freshwater coin pearls. This is sure to cheer up the grayest Winter day!

Carnivale

2009-11-04T17:17:00.001-07:00

I'm published!! My work is included in the recent publication of "1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse" by Garth Johnson.

The book is being sold at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. I submitted many pieces for their consideration and four items were chosen. The mermaid bracelet, was five dominoes that I inked and made into a bracelet for a special friend of mine. A one-of-a-kind piece and a work of love for sure.

The author chose three other items, all typewriter key creations...

If you'd like your own piece of "Creative Reuse", I've been listing new pieces these last few weeks, including this fun bracelet for the travel enthusiast...

Bon Voyage

2009-10-30T19:14:00.002-06:00

...A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw:
It was an Abyssinian maid,
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount Abora.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772 - 1834, poet
Excert from "Xanadu - Kubla Khan"

Here is a bracelet to stir the senses, inspire romance and femininity, and bring out your inner poet!

Created with the fabulous lampwork artistry of Kerri Fuhr and framed with carved black onyx and rose quartz. This is a one of a kind creation for a one of a kind lady! (And, aren't we all?)

As with all my posts, click on the photo to go directly to the listing. Thank you.

Antiques Made New

2009-10-26T19:17:00.003-06:00

As much as I love beads, I have a fondness for creating jewelry with non-jewelry items. Most often that being typewriter keys. Occasionally I may make a bracelet of random keys but usually I try to get words or sayings on my bracelets and have a theme or sense of pairing to my earrings. I also LOVE adding dangles and charms feeling the jewelry is bare or unfinished without them. These pieces make excellent gifts for teachers, writers, or anyone who appreciates the way it used to be.

The typewriter keys I use are ALL authentic! They come from very old typewriters nearing 100 years old. Some would say this is terrible, to tear apart such engineering marvels just to create a pair of earrings. For the antiquarians out there, please know that I have never taken apart a wonderful, working typewriter. The typewriters I use are usually rusted, inoperable, more costly than practical to repair and have been gathering dust and moisture for years. This hobby of mine is certainly preserving history in a decorative and useful manner. The left over typewriter parts are brought to a metal recycler.

Strong Emotions

2009-10-22T09:48:00.001-06:00

“The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.” ~Pablo Picasso

I never know what is going to inspire me but I love to see a creation develop and be completed from inspiration. Sometimes, it's quite clear to see the inspiration behind a piece as in the case of this bracelet. I was obviously inspired by Autumn, the changing colors and falling leaves.

"Bittersweet October"

With other creations, the inspiration may not be as blatantly obvious, but the inspiration, just as strong. This bracelet was inspired by Salt Water Taffy. The kind you find handmade by the shore and eat while you stroll along the boardwalk.

"Sweet Treat"

Some of my past inspirations have been the death of a favorite author, Madeline L'Engle...

"Ode to Madeline"

and even the color of a lipstick...

"Airy Fairy"

Carnivale

2009-09-12T17:38:00.004-06:00

I haven't been too productive lately with our recent move and Summer's family functions. I made this bracelet a couple of months ago and thanks to the ladies in the Bead Hive, I've found the perfect name for it. "Carnivale". While looking up the word Carnivale online, I found a great painting by artist Patsy Seeley that looks like it could have been the inspiration for this design. I had to share it!

"Lady in Purple"

I love this color combination! The whimsy and the mystery of things carnivalesque. When I saw these beads from lampwork bead artist, Sarah Friskey, I had to buy them. Seems I am always drawn to bright colors but usually design with muted tones. Maybe it's the Summer sun but these beads certainly called out to me.

"Carnivale"

Front Page News

2009-09-03T11:42:00.005-06:00

I love the surprise of seeing one of my listings on Etsy's Front Page. It doesn't happen often but when it does, I'm all smiles and giddy! This happened twice yesterday. Once with my listing of a vintage Thermos set.

And the second time, I didn't see the Front Page but found out about it later. My Melon Cooler bracelet was an alternate in this dreamy collection...

Thanks to the wonderful folks who included me in such fun and beautiful Treasury collections, chicalessia and bontonvintage!

One more AWESOME thing happening right now is that I am running a BOGO 1/2 off sale! See my shop announcement for full details and begin your shopping - just click on the happy shopper below!

Fair Trade

2009-08-12T14:08:00.007-06:00

A few months ago another Etsy seller jarck101 (a.k.a. Lisa) and I made a trade. I had chosen many of her items as birthday presents for our daughters and she found a bracelet of equal dollar amount that she liked. It happened to be one of my favorite pieces in composition, colors and photography. A bittersweet trade. I was happy to see it find a home though.

Upon receiving her new bracelet, Lisa wrote me this message...

Hi Misty!
The bracelet came in the mail today and I put it right on. I LOVE IT! Oh, I really love it! It is perfect in every way///the colors the style the crafsmanship. The colors look great on my tawny skin, and I love the chunky, funky beauty of it! I used to buy wonderful jewelry like this 20 years ago, but haven't since then as I went through a divorce, was a single mom, my new husband retired and then had health problems...you know...life just got in the way and I lost touch of this "fun" side of me. Girlfriend...I think you just woke up the fun part of doing something for myself! Thank you, thank you!
I was feeling guilty after I agreed to trade because I was doing this for me and me alone.......but no longer! Thank you! I think I got the better end of the trade! I hope your daughters like the bags...but they collectively can't possibly be as happy as I am with this beautiful bracelet! I love it, thank you!

Lisa

I've heard wonderful things about how people like my jewelry before. I love pats on the back and the enjoyment people have in wearing their new, unique piece. But this letter, made my day, week and month! I know what it's like to have life take over and forget about being pretty, or doing something just for myself. It's hard to think of that when our lives are encompassed by children, spouse, and daily "to-do's".

Warm Summer Flower - Jewerly Pouch by jarck101

So far, our daughters DO love their birthday presents. They go so well with last years gift of interchangeable earrings and each one was selected with their individual personalities in mind. Maybe "they collectively can't possibly be as happy" but that is alright with me. This one trade made Lisa happy and will continue to do so everytime she wears her bracelet and will make our daughters happy all through the year as we deliver their gifts and hopefully as they continue to use them.

Doodles and Dreams: Crafty Monday - Reuse old Jewelry

2009-06-01T12:31:00.002-06:00

This is a wonderful article on ways to reuse old jewelry. I think haunting Estate and Yard Sales this summer is going to take on a whole new dimension now!

Doodles and Dreams: Crafty Monday - Reuse old Jewelry

2009-05-26T18:57:00.003-06:00

Thanks for coming to my blog to check out this awesome bike! Help me win one by clicking the picture below and seeing what they have to offer!

Social Networking

2009-05-24T22:08:00.004-06:00

I realize I haven't updated for a long time. Seems the more I "network", the less I get done.

If you have found your way to my blog, please also find me at Twitter. I update there a couple of times a day generally. Usually with shop updates of new listings or things I want to share from my selection.

As for my design work. I continue creating new pieces and listing on Etsy. Cycling through stages of typewriter key jewelry, beaded pieces, lampwork beads and the occasional odd inspiration.

This summer looks to be busy. We've just bought a home and will be moving. That is a real stressful time, especially where beading is concerned. I have to put away all my trays and dishes of work in progress, pack up the lampwork station, and basically add boxes to my out of the box way of working. I like to have things where I can see them. So that when I am passing by or happen upon a "palette" of beads gathered for a project, I can ponder it and think about how I'd like to see them together. When things are packed up and boxed neatly away, well, I miss them.

Hopefully this will be the home we see our last two children grow up in, where we can look forward to many visits from grandchildren and grow old together in. Pursuing our passions, finding new ones and not boxing up our creativity.

Etsy :: GemmaBeads :: RESERVED Custom Order for SeatOfMyPants

2009-04-08T14:55:00.000-06:00

Etsy :: GemmaBeads :: RESERVED Custom Order for SeatOfMyPants

My First Blog Award

2009-01-15T11:14:00.005-07:00

I am very honored to be chosen by Dhea of Javabead... Fire and Glass Designs for this award. Thank you Dhea!

Here's the story behind this award: The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in the PROXIMITY in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that even more friendships are propagated. So, now it's time for me to pass on this award and 'propagate' some friendships!

I'd like to pass this award on to...

Roganomics
Brilliant Beads
Llanywynn
Mama Devine
JC Herrell

Etsy Front Page 12/4/08 littlebirdesigns

2008-12-06T08:40:00.003-07:00

Etsy Front Page 12/4/08 littlebirdesigns
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers
Yippee! My first Etsy front page! (That I know of - lol). Found a wonderful group on Flickr called Etsy Front Pagers, thanks to my teammates at Idaho Indie Works, that shows all the front pages, who curated them and who was featured. What a wonderful resource!

JC Herrell: Other folk's finished work with my beads

2008-12-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

JC Herrell: Other folk's finished work with my beads

October Brings Changes

2008-10-29T12:37:00.004-06:00

Some of my newest creations and a bit different from my usual fair.

This necklace was inspired by the photo of the spiral staircase which is inside of a lighthouse. Lighthouses always make me thing of solitude and waiting for someone special to return home. Hence the name, "Waiting".

My first crafting love was sewing and embellishing garments. With the days getting colder, I've been seeing artistic cuffs as so cozy and fascinating. I made this one to imitate Sally's dress from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

With my recent experimentation in needle felting and combining my other crafts of beading and sewing I plan to make more cuffs and textile jewelry. Bringing all my crafts together full circle.

Heritage Challenge

2008-09-14T20:37:00.004-06:00

This month The BeadHive offered a challenge within the group to create something honoring our individual heritage. As I thought of the different roads and reasons that took my ancestors to America and how their posterity has grown, my thoughts kept returning to my Scottish ancestors through my maternal line.

While taking a walk along the river here in Idaho Falls last week, I took a picture of a thistle and that really got the beads rolling. The first piece I made is a beaded thistle pendant. I used seed and bugle beads and stitched each one to a felted wool bead base.

As I worked on this pendant, I was considering what I would hang it from. It could be a ceiling fan pull, a rear view mirror dangle, a long necklace or a choker. I finally settled on a choker. But, as happens when creating as I go, the choker I started with became an entire creation all it's own. I decided the pendant will have to wait for another choker. This choker is fabric and fibers, lace, beads and a vintage button. All in tribute to the long line of wonderful, strong, tenacious, classy ladies that I can look back to and admire and learn from.

Heritage Inspiration Choker

Heritage Inspiration Choker - Inside

Heritage Inspiration Choker - Side

Breezeway Beads

2008-06-07T10:22:00.007-06:00

I'm so happy to have some of my creations included on Breezeway Beads website. I found her beads a few years ago while looking for a focal bead to match one of my skirts. At the time I was just making a few pieces to go with my new office wardrobe for a new job. But what ended up happening was a love and an addiction for lampwork, beads, and creating little wearable works or art! Jane (Breezeway Beads) was helpful in explaining some of the terminology and I purchase my first lampwork bead from her. I've been a huge fan of her work ever since. Her focal beads are perfect to frame with semi-precious stones, Czech glass and Bali silver. I've created many pieces featuring her beads and there are more to come. You can see a few pieces at her website...
Breezeway Beads - Customer Creations

She sells her focal beads at her website and on ebay and Etsy under the same name, Breezewaybeads. You can see more of my creations highlighting her beads at my Etsy shop!

It's hard for me to pick an absolute favorite when it comes to her beads. I probably have a top 10. This bracelet was created from one the top ten. I named it "Shimmering Shores". I love how her bead looks so perfect with the labradorite and freshwater pearls.

In Full Bloom

2008-03-31T12:47:00.005-06:00

My newest bracelet. It started out with the intention of being more pink than it turned out to be. This is a very vibrant bracelet! The roses and lampwork focal bead are handworked by talented artisans.

etsyBEAD Theme Week "Stormy Weather" Sale

2008-03-27T11:23:00.004-06:00

Another treasury from this week's etsyBEAD Theme Week sale. I was lucky to be included in this one as well. I love the Fiber Beads from EBrown2503! Click on the treasury to go to it. (Notice the expiration time though.)

Stormy Weather

EBTW Stormy Weather Listings

Living most of my life in the Seattle area and then being transplanted to SE Idaho leaves me longing for a good rainstorm and the fresh clean air it leaves in it's wake. I guess that's why I seem to make jewelry that reflects the weather everyone complains about but I miss. I have 4 listings I've marked down 15% for this two-week sale. There lower price ends on Saturday, April 5th in the evening.

EBTW SALE at GemmaBeads

A New Week - New Treasuries!

2008-03-24T09:48:00.004-06:00

Here are three very different Etsy treasuries. I've linked the pictures back to the treasuries so you can view them more closely and click on the item links. However, treasuries only last for 3 days so the link won't last forever. Fortunately, the sellers name is below their items and titles so you can find them if you'd like to.

This first one is from Idaho Indie Works. So bright and cheery. Just what we need this time of year!

Springtime in Idaho

This next treasury is a collection of giraffe inspired items and includes a pair of my earrings...

Long Necked Blondes

And last but not least is the etsyBEAD theme week "Stormy Weather". This treasury includes my "Cloud Tears" earrings.

EBTW Stormy Weather

I have a few items on sale with this weeks theme. Click on the link to get these select items at 15% off until March 29th!

GemmaBeads' EBTW Sale - "Stormy Weather"

All etsyBead Theme Week "Stormy Weather" listings.

Treasuries...So much fun to discover

2008-03-22T09:29:00.002-06:00

For those of you who don't know, Etsy has a super fun feature called a Treasury. It's so fun to be included in this group of twelve listings. Last week's EtsyBEAD Theme was "Spring Bouquet" and I have more than a few things that fit that idea. A pair of earrings I call "Cuties" was chosen.

EtsyBEAD is such a great group of folks and really keeps this theme thing going. I am always looking forward to the next theme. Between this group and the Bead Hive, I get a lot of inspiration and motivation.

Seasons Change...

2008-03-20T22:43:00.003-06:00

Today's new listings are quite different from each other. Someone commented that one would be great for Spring / Summer and the other, Fall / Winter. I completely agree!

This first set makes me think of fragrant Spring blossoms perfuming the air. I named it "Spring Breeze" for that reason. I especially love that it was completed on the first day of Spring, my favorite season.

Spring Breeze

This second set features rich, carved Carnelian and stunning Borosilicate lampwork beads. This is the set that would be great for fall. (Although it would look great with a Summer tan!)

Inner Glow

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." ~Hal Borland

A Higher Plane

2008-03-12T08:34:00.004-06:00

A bead group on Ebay has a challenge this month to create something to celebrate "flight". About the same time I saw the post for the challenge, I saw the perfect beads. It was meant to be. I created a bracelet that brought to mind Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Having read most of Richard Bach's books, I have a fondness for his writing and wonderfully quotable passages.

A Higher Plane

'One day, Jonathan is met by two gulls who take him to a "higher plane of existence", where he meets other gulls who love to fly. He discovers that his sheer tenacity and desire to learn make him "a gull in a million". Jonathan befriends the wisest gull in this new place, named Chiang, who takes him beyond his previous learning, teaching him how to move instantaneously to anywhere else in the universe. The secret, Chiang says, is to "begin by knowing that you have already arrived".'

Spring Safari!

2008-03-04T19:28:00.002-07:00

This week's EtsyBead Theme "is Spring Safari". I've been building a stash of beads that fit I just needed to get them put together. Nothing like a little motivation. I've made a couple of bracelet/earring sets, a pair of earrings and a choker necklace. The picture should take you directly to the Etsy listing. Hope you take a look!

Safari

Savanna

Long Necks

Wild Bunch

Make New Friends

2008-02-14T22:09:00.000-07:00

Today I joined two Etsy teams. I LOVE Etsy and have really enjoyed the past 6 months there. I'm sure the next 6 months and beyond will be even more fulfilling.

The first group I've associated myself with is Idaho Indie Works. "...a group of local Etsians who want to work together to help grow our businesses and bring awareness to the importance of buying handmade."

I love that they meet and actively participate with each other to bring awareness of each others work, Etsy, and the Handmade movement to the state of Idaho.

The other group I joined is EtsyMoms. "...dedicated to promoting women artists and crafters who also share the joy of being mothers. Some of our members work from home, some work from other places, but we all share a love of creating beautiful, useful, artful things. Our goal is to create a forum where these creative EtsyMoms can inspire each other, discuss our work, share the success of juggling kids at home, with housework, jobs and creating for our etsy shops, as well as marketing ideas for Etsy.com, advertising and promotional opportunities, and maybe make a few friends along the way."

I especially love that this group celebrates motherhood and requests family friendly posting. I appreciate that.

These two groups are not so different in their ultimate goals. I can't wait to get to know these folks!

2008-02-12T14:36:00.001-07:00

I've just finished my "New Boho" collection! A couple of years ago, I bought a jewelry kit for my older daughter. These beautiful stickers were left over. Lately, my typewriter key box has been overflowing with keys that I'll probably not use a lot like B, G, and M. I'd rather do something creative with them than make a random bracelet or sell them. I added some matching beaded charms and this collection came to life.

The Bracelet...

Bracelet Detail...

The Earrings...

The Pendant...

I have listed these on in my Etsy shop - GemmaBeads.etsy.com

I have some lampwork beads that I will be listing on Ebay, also under GemmaBeads.

Who is GemmaBeads?

2008-02-11T22:28:00.002-07:00

GemmaBeads is my little jewelry and bead design venture. I chose the name Gemma for a few reasons. Gemma is an anagram of my family's names initials. I work with gems. I live in the Gem State. And, a gemma is a new leaf bud capable of growth. I'm hoping my new little budding business will also be capable growth.

I want to use this blog to share new designs, inspirations and thought processes (which can be odd). I sell my creations nearly exclusively on Etsy. Once in a while I'll post a piece on Ebay. I belong to the bead group The BeadHive.

My jewelry creations are individual works of art. I use many mediums and techniques. My favorite beads to work with are Artisan crafted Lampwork glass beads and semi-precious stones. I use quality components and beads to put together one of a kind pieces. As with most creative types, I am always seeing thing differently. I love to alter dominoes - use the smooth back for my little canvas. These will be turned into pendants, brooches, magnets, etc. I love finding new ways to use beads and add beads too. Like hairsticks, cell phone charms, and so on. I love text and quotes and have found creating with antique typewriter keys a great way to combine this love with jewelry making.

I get inspired many different ways. Sometimes, as happened recently, I started thinking of lines from Willy Wonka and seeing those lines interpreted in jewelry.

SNOZZBERRIES - The lickable wallpaper bracelet.

THE CHOCOLATE WATERFALL - Bracelet

TURNING VIOLET - Earrings

I will be posting more as I have more to share. Feel free to drop me a line!